New Grower Mephisto Strawberry Nuggets, 4 Assed Monkey & Fantasmo Express x Sour Stomper

[Vapo]

I like that you are experimenting with your grow and you seem to have thought through the process.

I am not against topping autos at all even though my original post may have made it seem that way. In fact, had I known then what I know now about my current grow, I might have topped my gal. I think topping is a good way to break main cola apical dominance, increase side branching and stunt the height of a plant. However, in my experience, it doesn’t increase yields. And if I were to top a plant, I would probably choose a strain that was: 1.) large in stature; 2.) a vigorous grower: and 3.) more sativa dominant.

As far as being careful with LST goes, when I say the stems on the Strawberry Nuggets are thick, what I mean is that on my little two liter bottle grow with her, her main stem was about an inch and a half (3.8 cm) in diameter and her side branches very early on were about three quarters of an inch (1.9 cm) in diameter. As time goes on, they become very rigid, too. I wouldn’t say that it’s impossible to LST, but I would be very careful and I would probably only pull out the side branches to open up the middle a bit. I just let mine grow naturally, and I found that she kept a fairly even canopy until after the flowering stretch was finished, with the main cola only slightly above the side branches (maybe only an inch or two (2.5 to 5 cm) difference in height). The large fan leaves on her created a very flat looking almost table-like top to her. I had to tuck the fans twice a day to make sure the side branches got enough light. I’m a very big guy. I’m 6’9” (206 cm) tall and I weigh 300+ pounds (135 kg), and the fan leaves on this were bigger than my hands (!!!). I know that @Vapo69 has had some excellent results with topping and mainlining his Strawberry Nuggets. And he did it very early on. What he did was actually quite masterful.

All in all, I was just trying to make the points of 1.) thinking it all through; and 2.) exercising caution and not being too aggressive with her. That’s all.

Happy growing.

Thank you @mcpd_refugee ....you are most kind bro

 

[Medimadness]

I like that you are experimenting with your grow and you seem to have thought through the process.

I am not against topping autos at all even though my original post may have made it seem that way. In fact, had I known then what I know now about my current grow, I might have topped my gal. I think topping is a good way to break main cola apical dominance, increase side branching and stunt the height of a plant. However, in my experience, it doesn’t increase yields. And if I were to top a plant, I would probably choose a strain that was: 1.) large in stature; 2.) a vigorous grower: and 3.) more sativa dominant.

As far as being careful with LST goes, when I say the stems on the Strawberry Nuggets are thick, what I mean is that on my little two liter bottle grow with her, her main stem was about an inch and a half (3.8 cm) in diameter and her side branches very early on were about three quarters of an inch (1.9 cm) in diameter. As time goes on, they become very rigid, too. I wouldn’t say that it’s impossible to LST, but I would be very careful and I would probably only pull out the side branches to open up the middle a bit. I just let mine grow naturally, and I found that she kept a fairly even canopy until after the flowering stretch was finished, with the main cola only slightly above the side branches (maybe only an inch or two (2.5 to 5 cm) difference in height). The large fan leaves on her created a very flat looking almost table-like top to her. I had to tuck the fans twice a day to make sure the side branches got enough light. I’m a very big guy. I’m 6’9” (206 cm) tall and I weigh 300+ pounds (135 kg), and the fan leaves on this were bigger than my hands (!!!). I know that @Vapo69 has had some excellent results with topping and mainlining his Strawberry Nuggets. And he did it very early on. What he did was actually quite masterful.

All in all, I was just trying to make the points of 1.) thinking it all through; and 2.) exercising caution and not being too aggressive with her. That’s all.

Happy growing.

I have to disagree and say that indicas are in general more receptive to LST than sativa.

After all the original Nugbuckets mainlining technique is only really recommended for bushier/ squat plants.
People have had good results with this kind of training with sativas but then traditional indica christmas tree shaped strain is usually a good one for mainline or LST techniques and i think many here would agree.
but ofc, prove me wrong haha

But keeping a grow natural is obviously the solid option


As humans we need people to share what they know because none of us know it all and only through each other can we hope to grow as people as fast as our plants grow into lovely nugs

 

[Vapo]

I have to disagree and say that indicas are in general more receptive to LST than sativa.

After all the original Nugbuckets mainlining technique is only really recommended for bushier/ squat plants.
People have had good results with this kind of training with sativas but then traditional indica christmas tree shaped strain is usually a good one for mainline or LST techniques and i think many here would agree.
but ofc, prove me wrong haha

But keeping a grow natural is obviously the solid option


As humans we need people to share what they know because none of us know it all and only through each other can we hope to grow as people as fast as our plants grow into lovely nugs

I think i'm going to explore what you have said bro.....I have always purchased/grown indica heavy plants due to height restrictions and them being shorter usually....please don't quote me on that lol ....but I really enjoy the sativa high...and I think if you get the structure right early on...could be looking at multiple long colaswhich we all like...im presuming?lol

 

[Medimadness]

I think i'm going to explore what you have said bro.....I have always purchased/grown indica heavy plants due to height restrictions and them being shorter usually....please don't quote me on that lol ....but I really enjoy the sativa high...and I think if you get the structure right early on...could be looking at multiple long colaswhich we all like...im presuming?lol

Haha dude to be honest i’m looking into sativa training since this i do also really love a sativa high (in the mornings only with some coffee) but since i’m a medical grower i haven’t thought about sativa yet.

the idea of several long sativa colas is still very appealing, so if you do get it spot on i think a very big grin would soon be coming. about

Well i know what i’ll be doing the moment i finish my loft conversion

 

[Vapo]

Haha dude to be honest i’m looking into sativa training since this i do also really love a sativa high (in the mornings only with some coffee) but since i’m a medical grower i haven’t thought about sativa yet.

the idea of several long sativa colas is still very appealing, so if you do get it spot on i think a very big grin would soon be coming. about

Well i know what i’ll be doing the moment i finish my loft conversion

yeah dude...sativa in the morning has that "spend your day usefully" high....dude you have to journal your first loft grow...tag me in pls

 

[Medimadness]

yeah dude...sativa in the morning has that "spend your day usefully" high....dude you have to journal your first loft grow...tag me in pls

Of course man will do.
The moment i get started on the conversion I’m going to be starting the journal, though i may just try to make my own walk-in tent or buy one if i can i’m really not sure yet.

I want to make a relatively professional space since the cannabis industry is booming i thought itd be good to have a place i can expand my skill set, as ideally i want to work in the legal industry in the future so it’s going to take a long time to plan and get everything ready till i can start!
Need to level the floor first too which is going to cost money and with the damp of winter is going to have to wait. It’s like a pinball table up there right now LOL
Even with that sort of task ahead I’m still buzzing with excitement!

 

[Vapo]

Of course man will do.
The moment i get started on the conversion I’m going to be starting the journal, though i may just try to make my own walk-in tent or buy one if i can i’m really not sure yet.

I want to make a relatively professional space since the cannabis industry is booming i thought itd be good to have a place i can expand my skill set, as ideally i want to work in the legal industry in the future so it’s going to take a long time to plan and get everything ready till i can start!
Need to level the floor first too which is going to cost money and with the damp of winter is going to have to wait. It’s like a pinball table up there right now LOL
Even with that sort of task ahead I’m still buzzing with excitement!

dude I just bought a new tent yesterday lol....while I was perusing, they make loft shaped tents these days so you might just have to level the floor, maybe?:smiley1:

 

[NiceOption]

I like that you are experimenting with your grow and you seem to have thought through the process.

I am not against topping autos at all even though my original post may have made it seem that way. In fact, had I known then what I know now about my current grow, I might have topped my gal. I think topping is a good way to break main cola apical dominance, increase side branching and stunt the height of a plant. However, in my experience, it doesn’t increase yields. And if I were to top a plant, I would probably choose a strain that was: 1.) large in stature; 2.) a vigorous grower: and 3.) more sativa dominant.

As far as being careful with LST goes, when I say the stems on the Strawberry Nuggets are thick, what I mean is that on my little two liter bottle grow with her, her main stem was about an inch and a half (3.8 cm) in diameter and her side branches very early on were about three quarters of an inch (1.9 cm) in diameter. As time goes on, they become very rigid, too. I wouldn’t say that it’s impossible to LST, but I would be very careful and I would probably only pull out the side branches to open up the middle a bit. I just let mine grow naturally, and I found that she kept a fairly even canopy until after the flowering stretch was finished, with the main cola only slightly above the side branches (maybe only an inch or two (2.5 to 5 cm) difference in height). The large fan leaves on her created a very flat looking almost table-like top to her. I had to tuck the fans twice a day to make sure the side branches got enough light. I’m a very big guy. I’m 6’9” (206 cm) tall and I weigh 300+ pounds (135 kg), and the fan leaves on this were bigger than my hands (!!!). I know that @Vapo69 has had some excellent results with topping and mainlining his Strawberry Nuggets. And he did it very early on. What he did was actually quite masterful.

All in all, I was just trying to make the points of 1.) thinking it all through; and 2.) exercising caution and not being too aggressive with her. That’s all.

Happy growing.

Thanks for the thoughtful response.

Regarding the LST, the stems are not causing any trouble so far, but that's not to say they won't in the future. The main issues I'm having are due to the enormous size of the leaves, I've never seen anything like it. Hopefully they start to stretch soon and it will make things a little easier. It's a constant battle of tucking and re-tucking at the moment. From what I can see so far, the topped plant will be shorter for sure, but the light penetration is definitely better and she looks healthier for it. As I said, there's no bad result really but of course, the more bud the better. Time will tell...

If I'm really honest, I'm getting a bit frustrated with both the SNs but I think I'm just used to bigger and faster strains. They're also still drooping a bit. I can't really work out what that problem is either. I'm assured by everyone that the end result will be worth it though.

The 4AM is coming along a little better but still getting this clawing, reducing nutes doesnt seem to be helping and the low temp issues are no longer present so I'm a little confused.

 

[wes]

I have four plants growing in identical medium and receiving identical nutrients. One of them was experiencing the same symptoms of the clawing and light and dark leaves. Not sure what the issue was, but I flushed it and within a cpl days it righted itself. It’s back on track with the others, nutrients and all. Maybe salts idk. But the flush of 5 gal fresh water fixed it. I guess not all plants have same requirements, not even of the same strain.

 

[NiceOption]

I have four plants growing in identical medium and receiving identical nutrients. One of them was experiencing the same symptoms of the clawing and light and dark leaves. Not sure what the issue was, but I flushed it and within a cpl days it righted itself. It’s back on track with the others, nutrients and all. Maybe salts idk. But the flush of 5 gal fresh water fixed it. I guess not all plants have same requirements, not even of the same strain.

Thanks dude, I'll give it a good flush now and see if it helps.